On Saturday, England defeated Sweden 2-0 to make it through to the World Cup Semifinal. The third time they have reached this stage of the competition and the first for 28 years. Here’s how they did it.
England had defeated Colombia on penalties in the Last 16 to secure their Quarterfinal spot. Sweden had reached it in a less gruelling way, defeating Switzerland by one goal to nil.
Coming into the match it was expected that Sweden would be the side sitting on the back foot, with England trying to break down a no doubt resilient wall.
The first 20 minutes were cagey with neither side settling into the match. However, the pre-match assumptions turned to reality as England found their rhythm.
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson was stretching the Swedish defence from side to side, tiring the legs wrapped in yellow socks. His ability to quickly switch the play from full-back to full-back with runners such as Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard providing options in behind demonstrated the first signs of a problem for Sweden.
Sweden came out for the second half a different side. After causing the Three Lions no threat in the first, Jordan Pickford had to make two world-class saves to deny Sweden from levelling.
England used this as an opportunity to punish their opponents for not heading home by doing so themselves. Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard whipped a cross in for Dele Alli who thumped past Robin Olsen.
Gareth Southgate’s men continued to dictate the pattern of the match as time progressed. Bringing on players such as Eric Dier and first Fabian Delph only further cemented the fact England were about to qualify for their first Semi-final in 28 years.
How many minutes did the Manchester United stars get?
England
Both players were key cogs to England’s progressive first half but without being standouts. Lingard added another assist to his repertoire in the second half – his first-time cross picked out Dele Alli at the back post who headed home.
Both players are absolute certainties for the Semifinal as they styles fit Southgate’s system like a glove.
Marcus Rashford and Phil Jones started the match on the substitutes bench for the fourth time in five World Cup matches. Rashford did gain a late cameo once again, entering the pitch just into additional time.
Sweden
Lindelof has proven to me and many United fans keeping a close eye that he can play the hard way.
Sweden set up on Saturday to make it difficult, to throw their bodies at everything and try their best to keep a clean sheet. Once again Lindelof was a major part of that: Disrupting England and making it difficult for them to play through the lines and utilise their movement and pace.